Modular travel warning strip system and methods

Abstract

A modular highway warning strip system is formed of a plurality of segments assembled together to create a warning strip assembly having a length, wherein each of the plurality of segments are spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length. The segments are assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly. A plurality of spacers are disposed on the cord along the length of the warning strip assembly, between adjacent ones of the segments in order to maintain a spacing between each adjacent segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular highway warning strip system, comprising a plurality of segments assembled together to form a warning strip assembly having a length, each of the plurality of segments being spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length, the segments being assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly, a handle segment being disposed on at least one end of the warning strip assembly, the handle segment being spaced from each of the plurality of segments and having a recess adapted to permit gripping thereof by a user's hand, the warning strip assembly comprising a first warning strip subassembly and a second warning strip subassembly which are joined together;
 the modular highway warning strip system further comprising a plurality of spacers disposed on the cord along the length of the warning strip assembly, each of the plurality of spacers being disposed between adjacent ones of the segments in order to maintain a spacing between each adjacent segment, a spacer being disposed between the handle segment and an adjacent segment; 
 wherein the handle segment comprises a jigsaw configuration on its outside edge, the first and second warning strip subassemblies being joined together by engagement of the jigsaw configuration on the handle segment of the first warning strip subassembly and the jigsaw configuration on an outside edge of a second handle segment joined to the second warning strip subassembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the jigsaw configuration on the outside edge of each of the first and second jigsaw members comprises a series of protrusions and concavities which are adapted to engage with the jigsaw configuration on the outside edge of the other jigsaw member, such that when the first and second jigsaw members are joined together by engagement of their respective jigsaw edges, a jigsaw segment is formed from the enjoined handle segments. 
     
     
       3. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second handle segments are substantially identical in construction. 
     
     
       4. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said spacers comprises a hollow structure sized to be disposed about the cord. 
     
     
       5. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each of said spacers comprises a tube formed of a corrosion-resistant material. 
     
     
       6. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising a second opening disposed through each of the plurality of segments and the handle segment for receiving the cord. 
     
     
       7. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the cord extends through the opening in the handle segment, the warning strip system further comprising a cap securing the cord where it exits the opening. 
     
     
       8. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the cap comprises a spacer. 
     
     
       9. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein some or all the surfaces of each segment are covered with a protective material. 
     
     
       10. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the protective material comprises urethane. 
     
     
       11. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of segments are a darker color and one or more of the plurality of segments are a lighter color. 
     
     
       12. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the lighter colored segments and the darker colored segments are assembled in alternating fashion. 
     
     
       13. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein alternating ones of the plurality of segments are formed of different materials. 
     
     
       14. The modular highway warning strip system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein some of the segments are formed of steel and others of the segments are formed of aluminum.